Paramedic charged in sex assault

Allegations a first for the service, chief says; man removed from duty

By Tony Spears, with files from Kristy Nease and Chris
Cobb, The Ottawa CitizenJune 23, 2009

An Ottawa paramedic has been charged with sexual assault after a 40-year-old
woman complained to Ottawa police that she had been inappropriately touched
while receiving treatment Saturday evening. Police said she was not
physically injured.

It is the first time a complaint of this nature has been made, Di Monte
added.

He said Lauzon has been a paramedic in the Ottawa region for 25 years and
has never faced such an accusation.

The paramedic service will launch an internal investigation into the
alleged assault, but will prioritize co-operation with the police
investigation, Di Monte said.

"The primacy of the investigation is the police investigation. We will
let that go forward without hindrance so they can do their job," Di Monte
said.

"We may be able to do some of our internal investigation concurrently,
but the primacy is with them. That may delay us in fully getting to our
investigation. What I can say is that the individual was removed and will
not return to active duty until both those investigations are completed and
arise with clear conclusions."

Di Monte refused to provide details of the alleged incident, nor would he
say where Lauzon's partner was at the time.

"I do not want to prejudice the investigation in any way."

The police have not charged Lauzon's partner, but Di Monte said he would
be part of the internal investigation.

The gravity of the allegations means the investigation will be overseen
by a branch of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, which oversees
Ottawa paramedics.

Di Monte could not say if Lauzon's suspension would be with or without
pay. "It's a labour-relations issue."

Lauzon appeared in Ottawa court on Monday to face one count of sexual
assault. He was released on $2,000 bail.